Use your mobile phone number as your Apple ID

When you create a new Apple ID in China or India with iOS 11, you can use your mobile phone number as your Apple ID username.

Here's how it works

Any time you set up an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you have the option to sign in with your existing Apple ID or to create a new account. If you live in China or India and create a new Apple ID in iOS 11, you can now use your (+86) mobile phone number in China or (+91) number in India as your username. Just choose Create Your Apple ID from the Apple ID sign in screen and follow the instructions to create your new account.

Whenever you sign in to a new device, app, or service, you’ll enter your mobile phone number—including the "86" or "91" country code—and your password. Be sure to use the same Apple ID everywhere you sign in so that your Apple devices and services work together seamlessly.

If you already have an Apple ID that's an email address, you can't change it to a mobile phone number. And you can't change a mobile phone number Apple ID to an email address. However, you can associate your account with different phone numbers or email addresses on your Apple ID account page.

What you need

To create an Apple ID with your mobile phone number, you must meet these requirements:

Live in China or India

Have a (+86) or (+91) mobile phone number

Create your new account from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 11 or later

Account security

When you use your phone number as your Apple ID, your account is automatically protected with two-factor authentication. This is an extra layer of security for your Apple ID designed to ensure that you're the only person who can access your account, even if someone knows your password.

Messages from Apple

Since there isn't an email address associated with a phone number-based Apple ID, communications from Apple come to you through Messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, and your Apple ID account page.

Change your Apple ID to a different mobile phone number

You can change your Apple ID to a different mobile phone number from your Apple ID account page or on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. In China, your new Apple ID must be another (+86) mobile phone number. In India, your new Apple ID must be another (+91) mobile phone number.

If your new mobile phone number is already connected to your Apple ID as an iMessage phone number, shared phone number, or trusted phone number, then you don't need to verify it.

Didn't get a code? If you use iOS 11.3 or later on your iPhone, you might not need to enter a verification code. In some cases, your trusted phone number can be automatically verified in the background on your iPhone. It’s one less thing to do, and your account is still protected with two-factor authentication.